Heater plug with rocker switch



'Oct. 5, 1937.

e. B. BENANDER HEATER PLUG WITH ROCKER SWITCH Filed Dec. 28, 1933 Inve nborn Geon e B. [Benan den His AGbonngg.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 PATENT OFFICE HEATER. PLUG WITH ROCKER SWITCH George B. Benander, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Monowatt Electric Corporation.

a corporation of Connecticut Application December 28, 1933, Serial No. 704,290

17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to switching mechanisms and is directed more particularly to the provision of a more reliable construction for switches of the oscillating type.

In switches of this type the switch arm is ordinarily mounted with its pivotal axis outside of the strap on the closed circuit side of the switch rather than between this strap and the strap on the open circuit side of the switch. When the switch arm is thus mounted with relation to these straps, the closed circuit strap is extended along the interior of the switch body beneath the switch am. Where the closed circuit strap and the switch are disposed within the switch body in the 5 relation mentioned, the switch arm, when actuated, rotates above a portion of the strap on the closed circuit side of the switch with the result that sparking sometimes takes place between the movable arm and the closed circuit strap.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate in switches of the oscillating type the sparking which takes place, between the movable switch 7 arm and the closed circuit strap of the switch.

This is effected by mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis between the strap on the closed side and the strap on the open circuit side of the switch. Other objects of the invention will be evident upon reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the interior of the switch; Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, showing details of the mounting of the circuit controlling assembly; and Fig. 3 is an elevation of Fig. 2, partly in section.

Referring now to the drawing, a switch body I, constructed of suitable insulating material, is

adapted, when joined with the usual complementary switch body (not shown), to form a switch g enclosure. The switch bodies comprising this enclosure are fastened together in the usual manner, that is, by screws or bolts (not shown) extending through openings in the switch bodies.

When an opening 2, at one end of the switch body I, is positioned opposite a complementary opening in the other body (not shown) of the switch enclosure, the two openings form an aperture through which conductors (not shown) can be introduced and connected to the inlet binding 0 screws 3 and 4. Disposed within similar longitudinal recesses at that end of the body, which is opposite the opening 2, are the usual spring outlet terminals 5 and 6. These terminals may be connected to the input terminals of an eleci tric heater, electric iron, etc. It is to be understood however that the spring terminals 5 and 6 may be replaced by binding posts, etc., to which conductors connected to any electricity consuming device may be attached, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

On the open circuit side of the switch and extending between the spring terminal 5 and the binding screw 3 is a strap having two sections 1 and 8 terminating in spaced contacts 9. section 1 is riveted to an arm of the spring ter- 10 minal 5 and is disposed within a recess in the body I. Both the spring terminal 5 and the section I of the strap are fastened to the body I by a screw in which threads into an opening in the body. The section 8 of the strap is disposed with- 15 in a recess in the body I and is jointly fastened to the body by the binding screw 3 and another screw II, which are threaded into openings in the body. On the closed circuit side of the switch and extending between the spring terminal 6 and the binding screw 4 is the strap I2 which is riveted to an arm of the spring terminal 6. This spring terminal and one end of the strap I 2 are fastened to the body I by a screw I3 threaded into an opening in the body. The other end of the strap is fastened to the body by the binding screw 4 and another screw (not shown) corresponding to II, which are also threaded into openings in the body.

A switch lever I4, constructed of suitable insulating material, is provided with a knurled edge I 5 and with an opening I6 by means of which the switch lever is pivoted on the extension I 1 of the strap I2. When thus pivoted, the switch lever extends into the central portion of the body I through an opening in the side wall, formed by complementary openings in the two switch bodies, and through an opening formed by the legs of the strap I2. In the opening I6 of the switch lever is a triangular projection I8 (Figs. 1 and 2). The apex of this projection bears against the extension I1, thus permitting the switch lever to be oscillated in either direction until the sides of the projection engage the extension I1, limiting the movement.

A switch arm I9, which serves to connect and disconnect the spaced contacts 9, is pivotally mounted with its pivotal axis or axis of rotation between the closed circuit strap I2 and the open circuit strap comprising the sections 1 and 8. To effect this mounting, the strap I2 is formed to hold a bracket 20, constructed of suitable insulating material, and the arm I9 is provided with bearings including an opening in the bracket 20 and an opening in the body I. To enable the bracket 20 to be attached to the strap II, the latter isprovided with a'portion 2| forming a surface substantially perpendicular to the'lengthwise surface of the strap, with an opening 22 and with two lugs 13 (Fig. 2), each positioned at one side of the opening 22 (only one lug being shown in Fig. 2) and each extending inwardly from the interim' surface of the strap. The bracket 20 is wedged into the opening 22 between the lugs 23, and underneath the portion II of the strap. In addition, the bracket may be cemented or otherwise fastened to the strap in order to hold it more securely thereto.

- Although the switch, arm I! is mounted on bearings in the body I and the bracket 20, in the embodiment of the invention set forth herein, and is thus mounted only in part on the strap II, it is evident that a secondbracket, similar to 20, might be attached to this strap and the switch arm I! provided with bearings in the two brackets, thereby mounting the arm entirely on the strap. It is likewise evident that the switch lever ll, instead of being supported on the body I may be supported entirely by, or mounted entirely on, the strap l2. These modifications of the invention, as well as others that will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art, are to be.

understood as falling within the scope of the present invention.

A spring 24, attached to the switch arm I! and the switch lever ll, serves to actuate the switch arm upon the movement of the switch lever. One

end of this spring is attached to a V-shaped reentrant portion 25 of the switch arm I! and the other end is fastened in an opening provided in an arm 26 of the switch lever i4.

The operation of theswitch will now be briefly described. When the switch arm I! is out of engagement with the spaced contacts 9, and the to switch lever H is moved to the left, the triangular projection l8, being fulcrumed at the extension ll of the strap l2, causes the spring 24 to be compressed until the switch lever is rotated beyond the line of action of the spring. When this occurs, the spring it suddenly releases, oscilsion ll.

lating the switch arm I! into engagement with the spaced contacts 0, whereupon the arm is brought to a halt by the engagement of a side of the projection II with the face of the exten- The two sections 1 and 8 of the strap are thus electrically connected by the switch arm IS. The oscillation of the switch arm is out of engagement with the contacts 9 is effected in response to the movement of the switch lever 14 to the right and the travel of the arm away from the contacts is terminated when the other side of the projection l8 meets the surface of the extension H.

The present invention provides a switch having its switch arm pivotally mounted withits pivotal axis between the straps on the closed and open circuit sides of the switch. This method of mounting the switch arm eliminates the. sparking, which takes place between the closed circuit strap and the movable switch arm in switches having the switch arm pivotally mounted with its pivotal axis elsewhere than between the straps on the open and closed circuit sides of the switch. The invention accordingly provides a more reliable switch construction for switches having a circuit controlling assembly.

The invention is not to be restricted to the particular form or arrangement of parts shown and described herein, since they may be changed and modified in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by second strap comprising two normally discon-' nected sections connected between said other terminals, an extension on,-and a bracket of insulating material attached to, the first strap, a switch lever of insulating material pivoted on said extension, and a contact closing member mounted Jointly on said body and bracket and actuated by the switch lever for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap.

2. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal, a first strap connected between said terminals, another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal, a second strap comprising two normally disconnected sections, connected between said other terminals, an extension on and a bracket of insulating material attached to the first strap, a switch lever of insulating material pivoted on said extension, an arm having bearings in said switch 3. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a first strap extending between a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprising two disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal also secured to the body, a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, means for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis in a plane between the straps, and a switch lever of insulating material for actuating the switch arm about its pivotal axis, said switch lever extending across the first strap and having a portion which projects outside the switchv body.

4. In a switching device, a switch body of im sulating material, a first strap spaced from the body and extending between a current inletterminal and'a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprisingtwo disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet ,terminal also secured to the body, a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting the sections :of the second strap, means for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis in a plane between the straps, a switch lever of insulating material pivotally mounted in the space between the first strap and the switch body, said switch lever extending across the first strap and having a portion which projects outside the switch body, and a spring connecting the switch lever and arm for actuating the arm upon the movement of the lever. I

5. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a first strap extending between a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprising two disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal also secured to the body, a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, means including at least one bracket of insulating material attached to the first strap for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis in a plane between the straps, and means for actuating the switch arm about its pivotal axis.

6. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a first'strap spaced from the body and extending between a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprising two disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal also secured to the body. a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, means including at least one bracket of insulating material attached to the first strap for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis in a plane between the straps, a switch lever pivotally mounted in the space between the first strap and the switch body and a spring connecting the switch lever and arm for actuating the arm upon the movement of the lever. I

7. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a first strap extending between a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprising two disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal also secured to the body, a bracket of insulating material attached to the first strap, a switch am having bearings in the bracket and the switch body and its axis of rotation between said straps for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, and means for actuating the switch arm about its pivotal axis.

8. In a switching device, a switch body of insulating material, a first strap spaced from the body and extending between a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal secured to the body, a second strap comprising two disconnected sections extending between another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal also secured to the body, a bracket of insulating material attached to the first strap, a switch arm having bearings in the bracket and the switch body and its axis of rotation between said straps for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, a switch lever pivotally mounted in the space between the first strap and the switch body, and a spring connecting the switch lever and arm for actuating the arm upon the movement of the lever.

9. An electrical attachment fitting of the character described, comprising a pair of mating housing parts, means for attaching said parts together, said housing parts being provided with prong receiving openings at one end, spring contacts within said openings attached to one of the housing parts for engagement with prongs inserted into said openings, a pair of binding screws within said housing, a switch within said housing,

and current carrying parts associated with said binding screws, spring contacts and switch, said binding screws and current carrying parts being mounted on said one of said housing parts, said current carrying parts including a metal member parallel to said one of said housing, parts, and said switch including a switch lever received between and mounted for swinging movement on said one of said housing parts and said metallic member.

10. In a switch device, a, switch body of insulating material, a current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal, a strap connected be tween said terminals, another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal, a second strap comprising two normally disconnected sections connected between said other terminals, said terminals and said straps being secured to said switch body and a portion of one of said straps being spaced therefrom, and a switch for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, said switch including a'member mounted on and received between the spaced portion of said strap and said switch body.

11. In a switch device, a switch body of insulating material, a. current inlet terminal and a current outlet terminal, a strap connected between said terminals, another current inlet terminal and another current outlet terminal, a second strap comprising two normally disconnected sections connected between said other terminals, said terminals and said straps being secured to said switch body and a portion of one of said straps being spaced therefrom, and a switch for connecting. and disconnecting the sections of the second strap, said switch being supported by the switch body and having a part received between and mounted for swinging movement on said switch body and said portion of the strap spaced therefrom.

12. In a switch device, a switch body of insulating material, a pair of current inlet terminals at. one side of the switch body, a pair of current outlet terminals at the other side of the switch body, a pair of laterally spaced straps respectively connected between one of the current inlet terminals and one of the current outlet terminals, one of said straps comprising two normally disconnected sections, said terminals and said straps being secured to said switch body and a. portion of one of said straps being spaced therefrom, a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting said means for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis perpendicular to the plane of the straps and in a plane between the straps, and a switch lever for actuating the switch arm about its pivotal axis, said switch lever extending across one of said straps and having a portion which projects outside the switch body.

13. In a switch device, a switch body of insulating material, a pair of current inlet terminals at one side of the switch body, a pair of current outlet terminals at the other side of the switch body, a pair of laterally spaced straps respectively connected between one of the current inlet terminals and one of the current outlet terminals, one of said straps comprising two normally disconnected sections, said terminals and said straps being secured to said switch body and a portion of one of said straps being spaced therefrom, a switch arm for connecting and disconnecting said sections, means for pivotally mounting the switch arm with its pivotal axis perpendicular to the plane of the straps and in a plane between the straps, a switch lever pivotally mounted on and received between said switch body and the portion of said strap spaced therefrom, said switch lever extending across said portion and having a part which projects outside the switch body, and a spring connecting the switch lever and arm for actuating the arm upon movement of the lever.

14. In a switch device, a switch body of insulating material, a pair of current inlet terminals therefrom, a switch arm tween said ends and connect said sections, means pivotal "axis at one side of the switch body, a pair of current outlet terminals at the other side of the switch body, a pair of laterally spaced straps respectively connected between one of the current inlet terminals'and one of the current outlet terminals, one

of said straps comprising'two normally disconnected sections having the ends thereof spaced from andparallel to eachother, said terminals and said straps bei j secured to said switch body and-a portion ofone of said straps being spacedadapted to move beits pivotalaxis, said switch lever extending across one of said straps and having a portion which projects outside the switch body.

'15; In a switch device, a switch body, a part projecting from said body having flat surfaces, a handle having an opening therein fitting over said part whereby it is pivoted thereon, a switch blade operated by said handle, and angular projections on the handle within the opening cooperating with said surfaces to provide stops limiting the pivotal movement of the handle.

18. In a switch device, a switch body, a flat metal part secured to said body and projecting therefrom, a handle having an opening therein through which said part extends whereby the handle is pivoted thereon, said part having portions projecting outside said opening whereby the handle is held thereon, a switch blade operated by said handle, and angular projections on the handle within the openingcooperating with the flat surfaces of said part to provide stops for limiting the pivotal movement of thehandle.

17. In a switch device, a switch body, a flat metal part secured to said body and projecting therefrom, ahandle having an opening therein through which said part extends whereby it is pivoted thereon, a flange extending angularly from the projecting end of said part, a switch blade pivoted on said flange. a-spring connecting the handle and switch blade for actuating the blade upon movement of the handle, and angular projections on the handle withinthe opening for cooperating with the flat surfaces of said part to provide stops'for limiting the pivotal movement of the handle.

GEORGE B. BENANDER. 

